ARTIST SUPPORT GRANT

Overview

Closed | Applications Under Review

The North Carolina Arts Council Artist Support Grant is a regional grant program to support individual artists in all phases of their career. The program funds professional and artistic development for emerging or established artists to create work, improve their business operations, or bring their work to new audiences. This grant is intended to support a broad range of talented artists in the genres of visual arts, performing arts, literary arts, music composition, choreography, and interdisciplinary arts. Grants range from $500 to $3,000

The ASG program is funded by the N.C. Arts Council to provide the opportunity for regional consortia of local arts councils to award project grants to artists in their regions. Region 17 is led by Haywood County Arts Council and support artists in Buncombe, Haywood, Henderson, Polk, Rutherford, and Transylvania counties.

FY24 Artist Support Grant recipient: musician Hannah Kaminer’s new studio album, “Heavy on the Vine;” Photo by Old Home Place Recording

Application Process

ELIGIBILITY & REQUIREMENTS

Individuals and Artist Collectives — Both individual artists and small, unincorporated groups of collaborating artists are eligible to apply.
Residency — Artists should have lived continuously in the region where they are applying for at least one year before the consortium’s application deadline (Region 17: Buncombe, Haywood, Henderson, Polk, Rutherford, and Transylvania). Artists should have lived continuously in region 17 for at least one year prior to the application deadline. An applicant must be at least 18 years old and either a U.S. citizen or a permanent resident alien. The consortium may require proof of residence and status. Artists who live in more than one region should apply only where they spend most of the year. All members of a collaborating team must be North Carolina residents, live in the region in which they are applying, and meet the other eligibility requirements. Résumés documenting residence for all team members should be included with the application.
Multiple Awards — Artists who are sole proprietors of organizations that have already received funding for 2023-2024 from the N.C. Arts Council are ineligible to apply. Awardees must also wait at least two years after the award year before becoming eligible to reapply.
Conflict of Interest — Current board and staff members of the consortium partner organizations and their family members are not eligible to apply for the award.
Student Status — The Artist Support Grant is intended for adult, non-student artists. Artists enrolled full-time in undergraduate or associate degree-granting programs may not apply for the grant. Artists in certificate programs are generally eligible. Artists pursuing graduate degrees in subjects other than their art form may be eligible if they meet the other eligibility criteria. Other questions and special circumstances should be discussed with N.C. Arts Council staff.
Project Deadline — Funds must be spent by June 30, 2025. Projects must be completed before December 31, 2025.

2024-25 TIMELINE

July 22- Application opens
September 3- Application deadline
November – Awards Announced
Late November- Funds distributed
June 30- Final report due

ALLOWABLE EXPENSES

In project year 2024-2025, applicants may apply for up to 50 percent of the grant to support artist fees.

Completion/Presentation of a New Work — Cost of resources necessary to complete or present a significant new work (e.g., purchasing art supplies or equipment (digital may qualify) or space rental).
Career Promotion — Projects aimed at advertising artists’ work and/or demonstrating their skill level (e.g., websites, portfolios, audio-visual documentation, and online presentation)
Training — Costs to attend a class or workshop (in-person or virtual) aimed either at enhancing the artist’s skill level or professional development (e.g., a master class or workshop taught by acknowledged authorities in the applicant artist’s medium)
Travel — Costs of transportation, lodging, and food for training, professional conferences, or research as allowed or possible while adhering to social distancing guidelines

INELIGIBLE PROJECTS AND COSTS

Scholarships for undergraduate- or graduate-level education
Projects that support or oppose a particular candidate for public office
Projects that are exclusive to members of a particular religious faith group
Nonprofit initiatives
Projects that do not have a direct effect on the applicant’s growth as an artist (e.g., the promotion of other artists’ work)

EVALUATION CRITERIA

Applications will be reviewed by a panel of arts professionals with experience in various disciplines. Panelists will score each application based on the following evaluation criteria:

Artistic Merit – Work samples provided show artistic excellence, and there is originality, inventiveness, and/or cultural significance in the project proposed, as well as a clear commitment to a career as a practicing professional artist.
Project Feasibility – The project proposal is clear and well-organized, showing preparation and planning. The proposal’s goals are realistic and achievable. The project budget shows forethought and consideration.
Professional Development – The project is consistent with the applicant’s career stage and will be meaningful in expanding and/or promoting the applicant’s artistic career and professional growth.

The following 5 point scale will be used to score each criteria: 5 – Outstanding, 4 – Very Good, 3 – Good, 2 – Fair, 1 – Poor

Please be sure you are both thorough and clear in your responses. Incomplete or unclear responses will make it more difficult for panelists to evaluate your proposal and will negatively impact your score.

APPLICATION & SUPPORT RESOURCES

Application Link
Apply Now (Question PDF). Application deadline was September 3 at 11:59 pm.

Support Resources

Grant Guidelines
Overview Slides

If you need help with your application or have specific questions, Contact the Haywood County Arts Council by emailing director@haywoodarts.org. The HCAC Gallery is Volunteer-run, PLEASE DO NOT call. Questions will be addressed via email.